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Wednesday, September 30, 2009

My Creative Journey

I've been doing some reading lately, trying to figure out how God wants to use me and my art. John 7:18 has been heavy on my heart. I don't want to pollute my creative journey with my own pride and ambition, but it is a continual battle. My church has recently begun a very loose Visual Arts ministry. I sooooo appreciate our Worship Minister's approach of encouraging both the visual arts and the artist, but without generating a list of expectations or goals. I don't know yet where I am going on this journey, but I am content to keep reading, experimenting and exploring until God reveals His plan to me.

One of my recent tasks in Julia Cameron's book was to write the following statement: Treating myself like a precious object will make me strong. She even suggested to "calligraph" the statement! I know the statement may seem self-indulgent, but one of the main thrusts of her book is for artists to realize how much they beat themselves up with negative thoughts. She reminds her readers that God loves artists.

Well, that assignment led me to create another piece. My alarm is set to Moody Radio, and one morning I awoke to the reading of Isaiah 45:3, "And I will give you the treasure of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the LORD, which calls you by name, am God." I just loved that! Treasure of darkness. Riches in secret places.

I don't often like being in a dark, confusing place in my life (never, actually), but to know He is ahead of me and has already prepared the victory...well, the just gives me great comfort.

I feel as though I am approaching a crossroads in my life - as an artist, parent, Christ follower - all of my roles are changing and need re-evaluated and updated. Everything is kind of up in the air right now. I have always been a Type A - listmaker, and it is a challenge for me to be patient and wait for the dust to settle on this chapter of my life.

7 comments:

beautiful post, jane! i'm not very good at patience either, and i'm definitely type A, although working towards type A- !! your interpretation of the Isaiah passage is beautiful....i just love the texture that you've created with your letterforms! :))

Oh my gosh! The pieces you included in this post are amazing, but more than that is your message. I too have been struggling/waiting to see what God would have for me and art. He has placed a desire for it and some aptitude toward it within me. He has given me the time and opportunity to work in the field. I know He has something for me, for Us, and each day my prayer is 'For your glory Lord, not mine'. He will place us where He wants us.

Thank you for this post. These are issues I am exploring as well. I will certainly check out the books you listed. Another I have on my Amazon list to get is The Creative Call by Janice Elsheimer. It sounds good - have you read it?

I love the two pieces you created - just beautiful and God honoring.Karen

Hi Jane, I think God is really moving in Christian artists. I don't know if it is just that I am exposed to more, I don't think so. I hear what you are "feeling" more and more. There is a place here called "The Worship Studio" and the director said he feels God is raising up an army of Christian artists to proclaim His name!!

I have "The Heart of the Artist", have not read it all yet. And I have "The Creative Call" mentioned by Karen. I liked it better than "The Artist's Way" just because it is from a Christian perspective.

I meant to comment on this forever ago but I got busy and never did. Thanks for sharing these titles. I too am working to understand God's plan for my creative talents. For now I'm working to rest in the fact that for him it's about the relationship with me, not about a destination. And that he delights in watching my process because he created me to be like this. I want to put these on my wish-list and possibly donate one to our guild's library.

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About Me

I'm a calligrapher working out of my home studio. I have a passion for calligraphy and have an insatiable appetite for learning new things to incorporate with my lettering.
I have reduced the amount of client work I accept, and as a result, my schedule fills quickly. Of course, you are welcome to contact me about my availability. If I am unable to do the work, then I am pleased to provide referrals.
In addition to calligraphy, I enjoy journaling, traveling, baking, reading and watching Purdue University basketball. I am married to my best friend and we have two great kids.
Feel free to email me about my work, but please do not take, download, or copy my work without my permission.